October 30, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 finished the week on a four day losing streak. This sets the stage for another busy earnings week along with the November FOMC Meeting. Not to mention, the US Presidential debate coming down the stretch (in less than 2 weeks). On Friday, the markets started to sell off after a report came out that the FBI was going to reopen an investigation on Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

The VIX has surged more than 20% since the previous Friday’s close and is now above 16.

Crude oil futures price sold off more than 4% on the week, closing below $50 and now roughly 6% off the 52-week highs. Moving on, gold futures prices rose .78% and T-Bond futures prices sold off more than 1.5% on the week.

Earnings will be heavy again, some key names to watch include: Gilead Sciences, Qualcomm, Starbucks, and Time Warner Cable.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
31 Oct 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET
1 Nov 2016- ISM Mfg Index 10:00 AM ET
2 Nov 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET, FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET
3 Nov 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
4 Nov 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET; International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
31 Oct 2016- BSFT, CAH, CTB, DO, L, LL, LPX, MCY, WMB, ZBH, APC, DK, ENH, IDTI, NLS, RAIL, RYAM, TEX, THC, TSO, VNO

1 Nov 2016- ADM, BP, CMI, COH, DISCA, EMR, ETN, FIS, ICE, IRM, K, KBR, MOS, OXY, PFE, SHPG, TAP, UBS, CAVM, CERN, DATA, DNB, DVN, DXCM, DYN, EA, EIX, ETSTY, FIVN, FTR, GILD, HLF, ILMN, LOCK, MTW, MYGN, PXD, SBAC, TSRA, WBMD, WU, X, ZEN, ZG

2 Nov 2016- ABC, ADP, AGN, BABA, BG, CRL, EL, FLOW, FUN, HST, KATE, NBL, NYT, ODP, SHOP, TWX, VMC, VOYA, VSI, ZTS, AIG, CLR, DVA, CTL, FB, FIT, FNF, FOX, G, GDDY, HOLX, HUBS, IAC, IL, LPLA, MET, MRO, PAA, QCOM, QTWO, RIG, TROX, TTWO, WFM, ZNGA

3 Nov 2016- AMAG, AMCX, APA, AVP, BLL, CHK, COMM, CS, CYBR, DDD, DNR, FIG, GOGO, H, HAR, LAMR, LDOS, LNG, LVLT, PNW, RGEN, SFM, SMG, TIME, AGO, ATVI, CBS, CSOD, FEYE, FLR, FOSL, GPRO, IMPV, INVN, KHC, LGF, LVS, MHK, MSI, NUS, OLED, SBUX, SWKS, SYMC, TIVO,TWLO, UBNT, WTW

4 Nov 2016- DUK, HUM, MSG, NRG, REGN, REV, RLGY, WLTW

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

October 23, 2016 The Week Ahead

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week slightly higher snapping a two week losing streak. About one third of the S&P 500 will be reporting in a heavy earnings week. With that said, we’re not that far off all time highs. Some earnings to watch include Apple, Amazon, Google, Coca-Cola, Exxon, and Tesla.

With earnings thus far not that awful and the likelihood of a Hillary win increasing, we saw volatility come in, closing the week at 13.34.

Crude oil futures prices rose about 1% over the week, closing above $50 and not too far off 52-week highs.

Moving on, gold futures prices rose four out of the five trading days and gained more than 1.2%. In addition, T-bond futures prices rose four out of the last five trading days, gaining nearly 1%.

Over the weekend we got news that AT&T would be buying Time Warner for $107.50 per share, or $85.4 billion dollars. It will be interesting to see if we start to see if regulators have any issues with this deal and what it means for the industry.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
26 Oct 2016- International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
27 Oct 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
28 Oct 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
24 Oct 2016- BEAV, CYOU, EXP, KMB, PETS, SOHU, TMUS, VFC, AGNC, AVB, CDNS, ISIL, KN, RE, RMBS, SONC, SWFT, V, ZION
25 Oct 2016- AKS, AMTD, BAC, BHI, CAT, CIT, CVLT, EAT, FCX, GLW, GM, JBLU, JNS, KEY, LLY, LMT, MAS, MDSO, MMM, MRK, NLSN, PG, R, S, SHW, TRU, UA, UTX, VLO, WAT, WHR, AAPL, AKAM, CAKE, CB, CHRW, CMG, COF, DFS, ESRX, IRBT, JNPR, NBR, NCR, P, PNRA, T, VRTX
26 Oct 2016- ALLY, BA, BEN, BIIB, BSX, CMCSA, EVER, FCAU, GRMN, GRUB, HBAN, HES, KO, LH, LUV, NOC, OC, PAG, SC, SPG, STT, WM, AXS, BWLD, GRPN, FFIV, INFN, NEM, NXPI, ORLY, SFLY, TSLA, VMW, WDC, TXN, WLL
27 Oct 2016- AET, ALXN, AMT, APD, BMY, BOFI, BWA, BX, CAB, CELG, CL, CLF, CME, COP, DB, DOW, DPS, F, GNC, HACA, IP, LAZ, LLL, MJN, MO, MPC, NOK, NOV, PENN, POT, PX, SIRI,SWK, TMO, TPH, TPX, TROW, UPS, VW, WWE, AIG, AMZN, BIDU, CA, CBI, CRUS, CY, DLR, ELLI, EXPE, FLEX, FTNT, GOOGL, HIG, MCK, PFG, STRZA, SYK, SYNA, TWTR
28 Oct 2016- ABBV, AN, CVX, CBOE, HSY, MA, NWL, PSX, SNY, SHPG, TEN, WY, XOM, XRX, SIMO

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

October 16, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week lower, making it two straight losing weeks in the index. Despite the sell-off many of the banks that reported did better than expected. With that said, earnings will be heavily watched this coming week. Some of the highlights include: Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Intel, McDonald’s, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, just to name a few.

On the international front, the European Central Bank will be meeting on the key interest rate.

Despite the market selling off a little… the VIX climbed to 16.12.

Crude oil futures prices rose again during the week as they’re now trading above $50 and very close to 52-week highs. OPEC met during the week, but per usual, good luck trying to get a read on what they’re trying to do. It seems like they’re constantly throwing mixed signals. Now, that doesn’t mean markets won’t react to their comments, just expect to see greater volatility.

Moving on, gold futures prices sold off slightly, making that two straight down weeks. In addition, T-bond futures prices sold off, making that 8 out of 10 losing days.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
17 Oct 2016- Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
18 Oct 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET
19 Oct 2016- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
20 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey 8:30 AM ET, Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
17 Oct 2016- BAC, HAS, JBHT, CE, IBM, NFLX, UAL
18 Oct 2016- BLK, DPZ, GS, HOG, JNJ, KSU, UNH, WWW, TTS, SCHW, PM, RF, MTG, KSU, ADTN, CREE, HA, IBKR, INTC, ISRG, LLTC
19 Oct 2016- ABT, CP, DOV, GPC, HAL, MS, RAI, STJ, STX, SVU, TUP, USB, AXP, EBAY, CTXS, HNI, GGG, MAT, PKG, SLM, STLD, URI, XLNX
20 Oct 2016- BK, DAN, DGX, DHR, FITB, KCG, NUE, PH, PHM, PPG, TRV, TXT, UNP, VZ, WBA, WBC, AMD, ATHN, EFTC, KLAC, MSFT, MXIM, N, PYPL, RCI, RS, SLB, SWN
21 Oct 2016- GE, HON, IPG, MCD, SYF, SAP, STI, MAN

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

October 9, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week slightly lower on below average trading volume. However, things should pick up as earnings season kicks off on Tuesday with Alcoa. Also, we’ll be getting eps numbers out of some big banks including Wells Fargo and JPMorgan.

Some other big events for the week include the release of the FOMC Minutes and an OPEC Meeting.

Despite the market selling off a little… the VIX didn’t move much, closing the week at 13.48.

Crude oil futures prices rose more than 3% on the week. As mentioned earlier, OPEC will be meeting October 9 to 13th at World Energy Congress. It wouldn’t be a surprise if volatility increases surrounding this event.

Moving on, gold futures prices slipped more than 4% on the week. In addition, T-bond futures prices sold off 5-straight days and closing nearly 2% lower.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
12 Oct 2016- FOMC Minutes 2:00 PM ET
13 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET
14 Oct 2016- PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
11 Oct 2016- AA, FAST, CUDA, HAWK, VOXX
12 Oct 2016- CSX
13 Oct 2016- DAL, LNN, MAR, PGR, AMD, KMG, FRC
14 Oct 2016- C, JPM, PNC, WFC

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

October 2, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week slightly higher. However, that doesn’t mean we didn’t see our fair share of volatility. In fact, if you look at the Dow Jones Industrials, they actually have had 6 straight triple digit closes. But we haven’t really seen much follow thru in either direction thus far. A day of weakness tends to be followed by a day of strength.

In respect to the upcoming schedule, there isn’t a whole lot going on in terms of earnings. Of course, we have our fair share of economic data and Fed speakers, but that’s really about it. China will be on holiday for the entire week.

Despite the market gaining on the week, the VIX actually rose a point from the previous Friday close, it finished Friday at 13.29.

The energy market reacted well to the most recent discussions out of OPEC. Crude oil futures prices were up nearly 8% on the week. This was mainly sparked by the belief that OPEC will follow thru on their informal agreement to cut production down. The official meeting is not till November.

Moving on, gold futures prices reversed nearly all of last week’s gains, dropping 1.62% In addition, T-bond futures prices saw a slight rise, closing the week .21% higher.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
3 Oct 2016- ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET
5 Oct 2016- International Trade 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
6 Oct 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
7 Oct 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
4 Oct 2016- DRI, MU
5 Oct 2016- MON, STZ, YUM
6 Oct 2016- HELE, RT

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

September 25, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week 1.2% higher. The markets reacted positively to the FOMC decision, with only two more meetings left, the chances of the Fed not increasing rates at all this year has gotten higher. With fear of a rate hike decreased, we’ve seen a sell off in VIX and risk-on attitude.

Of course, there are some interesting events coming up this week. For example, the first US Presidential Debate, and the big informal Opec Meeting, which is sure to drive volatility in the oil markets.

The VIX has gone from 17.50 back down to 12.29 over the last two weeks.

Crude oil futures prices surged about 3.5% higher on the week. It’s worth mentioning there is an informal OPEC meeting on the 26th to the 28th of this month. This, of course, this should heighten volatility in the crude futures market.

Moving on, gold futures prices had five straight positive days as it closed 2% higher. In addition, T-bond futures prices gained more than 1% on the week, and had five straight positive days.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
26 Sep 2016- New Home Sales 10:00 AM ET
28 Sep 2016- Durable Goods Orders 8:30 AM ET; EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
29 Sep 2016- GDP 8:30 AM ET; International Trade in Goods 8:30 AM ET; Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET
30 Sep 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
26 Sep 2016- CCL, CALM, SNX, THO, MTN
27 Sep 2016- FDS, NKE
28 Sep 2016- PAYX, PIR, ATU, IDT
29 Sep 2016- CAG, PEP, CAMP, COST

Key Conferences:
26 Sep 2016- Bank Leveraged Finance Conference (runs till 9/28)
27 Sep 2016- Dougherty Institutional Investor Conference (runs till 9/28)

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

September 18, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week more than 0.5% higher from last Friday. We recently snapped a two month period of no +/- 1% moves, which occurred last week. Well, this week alone we had 3 such moves. With that said, we’re sitting not too far off from our all-time highs with an FOMC meeting just around the corner. Many are expecting the Fed to sit tight and not make any changes to the key interest rate. However, heavy attention will be placed on Chairman Yellen’s press conference after the decision is made public.

Last week the VIX closed at 17.50, since then we have seen it cool off of late. The VIX on Friday closed at 15.37.

Crude oil futures prices cooled off on Friday, closing down nearly 2%, and giving up all of last’s week’s gains. Overall, crude oil futures prices closed the week more than 6% lower.

Moving on, gold futures prices lost a slight edge from the previous week, closing nearly 1.5% lower. In addition, T-bond futures prices fell about 0.70% on the week.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
20 Sep 2016- Housing Starts 8:30 AM ET
21 Sep 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET; FOMC Meeting Announcement 2:00 PM ET; FOMC Forecasts 2:00 PM ET; Fed Chair Press Conference 2:30 PM ET
22 Sep 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 ET; Existing Home Sales 10:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
19 Sep 2016- ASNA
20 Sep 2016- LEN, PTN, ADBE, FDX, KBH
21 Sep 2016- KMX, GIS, JBL, RHT, SCS
22 Sep 2016- AZO, RAD, SCHL
23 Sep 2016- FINL

Key Conferences:
19 Sep 2016- Denver Gold Forum (runs till 9/21)
20 Sep 2016- Deutsche Bank Energy Summit (runs till 9/21); Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference (runs till 9/22)

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

September 11, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week on heavy selling, snapping a two month trading streak of nothing having a +/- 1% move. With that said, we’re still not that far off from all-time highs. There was not one single catalyst that caused Friday’s sell-off, so it will be interesting to see if this was a one off or if the selling pressure continues Sunday night when the futures start trading again.

With the S&P 500 getting crushed on Friday, the VIX absolutely exploded, moving nearly 40% higher and closing at 17.50.

Crude oil futures prices cooled off on Friday, closing down nearly 4%. However, it still closed more than 6% higher on the week.

Moving on, gold futures prices gained a slight edge from the previous week. In addition, T-bond futures prices fell about 2% on the week.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
14 Sep 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM ET
15 Sep 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, PPI 8:30 AM ET, Retail Sales 8:30 AM ET, Philly Fed Survey 8:30 AM ET, Industrial Production 9:15 AM ET
16 Sep 2016- Consumer Price Index 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
12 Sep 2016- UNFI, PSDV
14 Sep 2016- CBRL, APOG
15 Sep 2016- ORCL

Key Conferences:
12 Sep 2016- Barclays Global Financial Services Conference (runs till 9/14); Credit Suisse Global Steel & Mining Conference (runs till 9/13); Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference (runs till 9/14)
13 Sep 2016- Deutsche Bank Technology Conference (runs till 9/14)
14 Sep 2016- Credit Suisse Basic Materials Conference

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

September 5, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week slightly higher and sitting very close to all-time highs. With that said, we’ve got a short week ahead of us due to the Labor Day Holiday. There isn’t much on the schedule in terms of economic reports and earnings. However, September should heat up, we’ve got the first presidential debate, an OPEC meeting, and FOMC meeting to look forward too this month.

Based on the VIX close on Friday, there isn’t a whole lot of fear going into the week. The VIX dropped 11% and closed at 11.98.

Crude oil futures prices continued to cool off, dropping more than 5% on the week. Of course, all eyes and ears will be on the OPEC member comments as their meeting approaches.

Moving on, gold futures prices gained a slight edge from the previous week. In addition, T-bond futures prices fell about 1% on the week.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
8 Sep 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, EIA Petroleum Status Report 11:00 AM ET

Key Earnings:
6 Sep 2016- PLAY
7 Sep 2016- FRAN, HPE, TLRD, FCEL, GWRE
8 Sep 2016- BKS, CONN, NAV, FNSR, VMEM, VNCE
9 Sep 2016- EROS, KR

Key Conferences:
6 Sep 2016- Barclay’s CEO Energy-Power Conference (runs till 9/8); Barclay’s Global Consumer Staples Conference (runs till 9/8); Citigroup 2016 Global Technology Conference (runs till 9/8); Deutsche Bank Aircraft Finance & Leasing Conference (runs till 9/7).
7 Sep 2016- Apple Event Conference; Baird Global Healthcare Conference (runs til 9/8); Cowen Global Transportation Conference (runs till 9/8); Goldman Sachs Retail Conference (runs til 9/8); KBW Insurance Conference (runs till 9/8); RBC Capital Global Industrials Conference (runs till 9/8); Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference (runs till 9/8).

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses

August 28, 2016 The Week Ahead

Education, Trading , , , , , , ,

The S&P 500 closed the week on a three day losing streak, however; volume has been below average and volatility has been virtually non-existent. With that said, we’re only about 1% off our highs. For the most part, traders have been focusing on stocks in the news versus what’s happening in the economy. At the moment, the medical space seems to be the most active. Heated arguments have been drawn up by politicians questioning their business practices. As the elections near, one could only imagine that volatility continues to pick up in the sector.

Now, the market was down about .6% on the week, however; that didn’t stop traders from buying protection. The VIX shot up during the week, closing at 13.65.

Crude oil futures prices cooled off this week, declining nearly 3%. OPEC is scheduled to meet late in September. Until then, traders will be monitoring any statements made before that meeting.

Moving on, gold futures prices fell 1.4%. In addition, T-bond futures prices fell more less than .5%.

Here is what else is on the schedule for the upcoming week:

Key Economic Data:
29 Aug 2016- Personal Income and Outlays 8:30 AM ET
31 Aug 2016- EIA Petroleum Status Report 10:30 AM
1 Sep 2016- Jobless Claims 8:30 AM ET, ISM Manufacturing Index 10:00 AM ET.
2 Sep 2016- Employment Situation 8:30 AM ET, International Trade 8:30 AM ET

Key Earnings:
29 Aug 2016- CTLT
30 Aug 2016- ANF, DSW, FRED, HRB, NCS, PANW, VEEV
31 Aug 2016- CHS, BLOX, BOBE, BOX, CRM, FIVE, SMTC
1 Sep 2016- CIEN, CPB, JOY, LULU, AMBA, AVGO, PAY, SWHC

Key Conferences:
30 Aug 2016- Jefferies Semiconductor, Hardware, and Communications Conference (runs till 8/31); Longbow Industrial Manufacturing & Technology Conference (runs till 8/30)

Be sure to check out our Active Trading Masters Program | Online Courses